'He has big eyes!'; Bobcats take to Tucson neighborhood to beat heat
By Maggie Vespa
CREATED JUN. 28, 2013
Dale Baker couldn't believe his eyes. In fact, he almost didn't believe his neighbor! Video by kgun9.com
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TUCSON (KGUN9-TV) - When it gets this hot, it seems like we will do anything to stay cool.
Turns out, animals will too!
Case in point: you won't believe what one Tucsonan found in his front yard Friday afternoon.
Dale Baker couldn't believe his eyes.
In fact, he almost didn't believe his neighbor!
"The neighbor lady told me there was a bob cat in my front yard, and I went out and I looked," he said.
Safe to say, he gets it now.
"He's a pretty large cat and has big eyes!" said Baker.
True, it has big eyes. It also has a little baby.
It was a family of bobcats beating the broiling heat in Baker's shady yard, even taking time for an adorable dip in this makeshift 'kitty pool'.
"Well the neighbor lady gave them some water because she thought they might be overheated in this temperature, but I think they're used to this weather," he said.
Used to it?
Sure, say the experts.
But make no mistake. These now cool cats struggle in the scorching sun just as much as we do.
"You might see even desert adapted animals looking for a swimming pool, looking for a damp area of soil or land, like perhaps where you've irrigated your property," said Vivian VanPeenan of Reid Park Zoo.
So she says, take note. You could easily find yourself in Bakers' shoes, with wildlife taking refuge in your yard soon.
9OYS reporter Liz Kotalik asked, "Is that scary?"
Baker responded, "No, I'm not afraid of cats. Unless it's a lion or a tiger, I guess."
Experts warn, if you find animals in your yard, don't feed them or give them water.
It will make them want to come back.
Instead call the Arizona Game and Fish Department at (520) 628-5376.